We asked our critics and our readers to vote for the 10 most important works of the decade. We count down to No. 1 as we approach Dec. 31.
I asked Kris Allen, the 2009 American Idol, why people like the show so much.
"I think the beauty about American Idol is that it takes people that they can relate to, that maybe acts like a friend of theirs, or has the same job or something like that, and makes them into rock stars or country stars or pop stars," said the 24-year-old from Conway, Ark.
The man's bang on. The rags-to-riches story, after all, is a persistent cultural cliché. But instead of commoners rising to royalty, we have a farm girl from Oklahoma becoming a country mega-star (Carrie Underwood), or the girl from a small Texas town who used to sing in bars and now sells millions of pop records (Kelly Clarkson), or the Arkansas church music director who got to play on the same New York stage The Beatles once rocked (Allen).
You don't even have to win the reality singing competition to become famous: think Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, rocker Chris Daughtry, Broadway lead Constantine Maroulis or glam pop-rock sensation Adam Lambert.
Idol contestants come in all shapes, sizes, races, sexual orientations, ages (from 16 to 30), abilities (contestant Scott MacIntyre was blind); they're from small towns and big cities; they're a little bit country or a little bit rock 'n' roll, and everything in between.
Of course, the same could be said of plenty of U.S. reality shows that don't pull anywhere near Idol's viewership.
Its ratings are down, as are most network TV shows', but Idol still beats the competition every Tuesday and Wednesday that it airs. Just under 29 million watched Allen win over Lambert on the May finale.
But Idol's not just about numbers. It has become part of the zeitgeist since it debuted in June 2002 as a spinoff of the British show Pop Idol.
Idol's genius, in an era in which we simultaneously adulate and denigrate our celebrities, lies in combining the mythology of the American dream with a healthy dose of schadenfreude.
It starts with the audition shows, when just enough delusional, tone-deaf applicants are mixed in with the true talents to give the viewers something to laugh at.
As some are knocked down, others get built up.
By the time contestants have made it through the pressure cooker of Hollywood Week, when a couple of hundred wannabes are cut to 36 semi-finalists or less, viewers are finding their favourites: the people they'll cheer on and vote for.
And therein lies one of Idol's main attractions: viewers' ability not only to watch stars being born but to take an active part in the transition.
Throw renditions of hit songs into the mix, and the interplay between contestants, judges and host Ryan Seacrest, and you've got a hit.
Challenges lie ahead, however. The show has already lost popular judge Paula Abdul although replacement Ellen DeGeneres should maintain viewers' interest.
But will it survive the reputed departure of the most popular judge, bitingly honest Brit Simon Cowell?
Showing posts with label Kelly Clarkson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kelly Clarkson. Show all posts
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Adam Lambert talks about his New Album “For Your Entertainment,” Working with Lady Gaga, and His Appeal to Women
Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood might want to watch their backs. Adam Lambert, the Season 8 “American Idol” runner-up, is poised to become one of the reality show’s biggest break-out stars. The glamtastic rocker released “Time for Miracles,” the closing credits song for this Friday’s disaster porn epic “2012.” And his first solo album, “For Your Entertainment,” drops Nov. 23, one day after he’s scheduled to perform at the American Music Awards. Lambert talked to Speakeasy about his music, his fans and why he’s so appealing to women.
The Wall Street Journal: On your Twitter feed, you said Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video “melted my brain.”
Adam Lambert: Oh my god, I love it. It’s so out there. She’s so brave in her artistic freedom; she’s an inspiration.
WSJ: She actually contributed a song — “Fever” — to your new album.
AL: Yeah, I really wanted to work with her; she’s just one of my favorites right now. She had an old demo — I think she said she got signed with that demo to her first label deal — and then she never produced it and got it done. I think that it’s a really catchy melody; the lyrics are really fun and silly. Overall, I really enjoyed the process of recording with her. She was on the other side of that glass, just egging me on. She was constantly like, ‘Go crazier! Go higher! Go louder!”
WSJ: If and when you make a music video for “Fever,” would she cameo?
AL: I’d love it. Of course I’d ask her. We’ll see if she’d actually want to do it. She has a lot on her plate right now.
WSJ: You seem so at ease with fame. What do you attribute that to?
AL: I think it helps that that I’ve lived in L.A. for the last eight years and I’m a little older. I’m 27, seen a lot of s—, met a lot of people. I’ve certainly been on the sidelines of paparazzi barrages, like, I’ve been out at a club with various reality show acquaintances and they get that kind of attention. So I’ve been near it, which helps me not to be thrown off by it. My M.O. is just do what you do and don’t feel like you have to make apologies for it. I’m sure there will come a point when I have to apologize for something, but not yet.
WSJ: A lot of big stars go out of their way to hide the fact that they’re gay, but you’re happily out and women still throw thongs at you — what do you think you’re doing differently?
AL: I think it’s a testament to just owning yourself, owning your stuff, and just being comfortable in your skin. It took me some time to get to that point and the timing of “Idol” was appropriate because [that's] when I realized, you know what? I love myself and I am a good person.
WSJ: What do you think your appeal to women is?
AL: I’m not sure — to be honest, that’s one of the more surprising elements about this whole thing. I’m like, really? I honestly don’t know — maybe it’s because, whatever the sexuality thing, I’m a friendly person, and maybe there’s a safety thing involved, in that I’m not threatening.
WSJ: How much say did you have in creating your album cover?
AL: That was pretty much my call. When we got to the point of doing the photo shoot, I just wanted to go super androgynous glam, kind of campy and outlandish. I love imagery like that — that’s why I love the Lady Gaga video. It’s just funny, because the second a guy starts doing things out of the box, people get all freaked out. But women do it all the time, so it’s an interesting double standard.
WSJ: Bowie seems to have been an obvious inspiration.
AL: Yup, Bowie, Jagger, Boy George, Prince, and Michael Jackson — all those guys who would put make up on and look glamorous. Some of the Michael Jackson covers are amazing, like “Dangerous,” where it’s just his eyes and the entire thing is just super frosted and touched up and perfect. And pictures of Bowie back in the day, like the “Hunky Dory” cover where he’s just pretty and in soft focus. I love that look and think it’s cool that not a lot of guy are doing it, so that’s how I’m going to style myself. It’s part of my persona and has been consistently. That’s why I find it so funny that people were surprised by the cover. I mean, didn’t you see me onstage with KISS and the glitter boots and the rhinestones around my eyes [on "Idol"]?
WSJ: Still, do you ever feel trapped in any way by the glam image?
AL: No, I don’t feel trapped. I’m the one who put on those clothes; it’s my own making. I feel like when I want to, I can change it up like I did on the show. I try not to get trapped in any one musical or visual style at all. I mean, that’s part of what I was really trying to do on “Idol” — change it up week to week, like variety tray. A veggie platter, if you will.
WSJ: Were you upset when tracks of your album were leaked online earlier this month?
AL: To be honest, yeah. I would have rather it not been, but that’s how you sell a CD on the internet. It’s hard, because people jump to conclusions based on 30 seconds, and I don’t know how fair that is. It is what it is.
WSJ: Which song pushed you the furthest vocally?
AL: “Sure Fire Winners” is pretty vocally acrobatic. It’s crazy — but they all kind of go crazy. Artistically, I think the Linda Perry song was a departure for me because it was a little out of my obvious comfort zone — vocally, it sits in this falsetto space, and lyrically, if you really listen to it, it’s complicated. The lyrics contradict themselves, which was done on purpose — Linda and I really talked about it.
There are two different interpretations: one is that it’s about two members of a relationship, and what’s going on in their heads when they’re with each other. One partner is loving every moment and in bliss, while the other person is feeling empty and not satistfied. The other way to look at it is that it’s about one person, going back and forth about a relationship in their head. Like one day, we feel like we love this person to death, the next, what the hell. It’s emotionally complicated, which makes it special.
WSJ: Speaking of “Sure Fire Winners,” it sounds like an homage to “We are the Champions.” Is it?
AL: It wasn’t intentional, and I didn’t write that song. But yeah, that’s totally the vibe. I don’t know if the writers did that on purpose or not. But it is like a “we rock” kind of anthem.
WSJ: How closely do you follow the forums on your site and read what people tweet at you?
AL: I breeze through Twitter — I look at the mentions, the pictures, the videos. But I try not to get too wrapped up in message boards because it’s crazy. When the fans are supportive, that’s super positive. On the flip side, when message boards are filled with negativity, I find it sad that people have nothing better to do than hate on others online. It’s not a good vibe.
WSJ: Have you heard Kris Allen’s album?
AL: I haven’t heard his album, but love his single. I’ll be one of the first to get a copy, I’m sure.
WSJ: Are you going to return to “American Idol” to perform during the new season?
AL: If they want me to perform, I’d love to.
WSJ: Would you have liked to see Ellen DeGeneres as a judge?
AL: No, I wouldn’t change my experience at all. I love Paula and think she’s amazing. She was one of the first believers [in me], if you know what I mean. She really had my back. As for Simon, he really has nothing to do with me at this point. I mean, he’s a judge. He is also a producer, but he’s not the automatic “Idol” producer. He’s producing Leona Lewis, but that’s his project. Going back to the Internet thing, it amused me how people can be so misinformed. When I read certain things, I just want to tell them, you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s an endless source of entertainment for me.
The Wall Street Journal: On your Twitter feed, you said Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video “melted my brain.”
Adam Lambert: Oh my god, I love it. It’s so out there. She’s so brave in her artistic freedom; she’s an inspiration.
WSJ: She actually contributed a song — “Fever” — to your new album.
AL: Yeah, I really wanted to work with her; she’s just one of my favorites right now. She had an old demo — I think she said she got signed with that demo to her first label deal — and then she never produced it and got it done. I think that it’s a really catchy melody; the lyrics are really fun and silly. Overall, I really enjoyed the process of recording with her. She was on the other side of that glass, just egging me on. She was constantly like, ‘Go crazier! Go higher! Go louder!”
WSJ: If and when you make a music video for “Fever,” would she cameo?
AL: I’d love it. Of course I’d ask her. We’ll see if she’d actually want to do it. She has a lot on her plate right now.
WSJ: You seem so at ease with fame. What do you attribute that to?
AL: I think it helps that that I’ve lived in L.A. for the last eight years and I’m a little older. I’m 27, seen a lot of s—, met a lot of people. I’ve certainly been on the sidelines of paparazzi barrages, like, I’ve been out at a club with various reality show acquaintances and they get that kind of attention. So I’ve been near it, which helps me not to be thrown off by it. My M.O. is just do what you do and don’t feel like you have to make apologies for it. I’m sure there will come a point when I have to apologize for something, but not yet.
WSJ: A lot of big stars go out of their way to hide the fact that they’re gay, but you’re happily out and women still throw thongs at you — what do you think you’re doing differently?
AL: I think it’s a testament to just owning yourself, owning your stuff, and just being comfortable in your skin. It took me some time to get to that point and the timing of “Idol” was appropriate because [that's] when I realized, you know what? I love myself and I am a good person.
WSJ: What do you think your appeal to women is?
AL: I’m not sure — to be honest, that’s one of the more surprising elements about this whole thing. I’m like, really? I honestly don’t know — maybe it’s because, whatever the sexuality thing, I’m a friendly person, and maybe there’s a safety thing involved, in that I’m not threatening.
WSJ: How much say did you have in creating your album cover?
AL: That was pretty much my call. When we got to the point of doing the photo shoot, I just wanted to go super androgynous glam, kind of campy and outlandish. I love imagery like that — that’s why I love the Lady Gaga video. It’s just funny, because the second a guy starts doing things out of the box, people get all freaked out. But women do it all the time, so it’s an interesting double standard.
WSJ: Bowie seems to have been an obvious inspiration.
AL: Yup, Bowie, Jagger, Boy George, Prince, and Michael Jackson — all those guys who would put make up on and look glamorous. Some of the Michael Jackson covers are amazing, like “Dangerous,” where it’s just his eyes and the entire thing is just super frosted and touched up and perfect. And pictures of Bowie back in the day, like the “Hunky Dory” cover where he’s just pretty and in soft focus. I love that look and think it’s cool that not a lot of guy are doing it, so that’s how I’m going to style myself. It’s part of my persona and has been consistently. That’s why I find it so funny that people were surprised by the cover. I mean, didn’t you see me onstage with KISS and the glitter boots and the rhinestones around my eyes [on "Idol"]?
WSJ: Still, do you ever feel trapped in any way by the glam image?
AL: No, I don’t feel trapped. I’m the one who put on those clothes; it’s my own making. I feel like when I want to, I can change it up like I did on the show. I try not to get trapped in any one musical or visual style at all. I mean, that’s part of what I was really trying to do on “Idol” — change it up week to week, like variety tray. A veggie platter, if you will.
WSJ: Were you upset when tracks of your album were leaked online earlier this month?
AL: To be honest, yeah. I would have rather it not been, but that’s how you sell a CD on the internet. It’s hard, because people jump to conclusions based on 30 seconds, and I don’t know how fair that is. It is what it is.
WSJ: Which song pushed you the furthest vocally?
AL: “Sure Fire Winners” is pretty vocally acrobatic. It’s crazy — but they all kind of go crazy. Artistically, I think the Linda Perry song was a departure for me because it was a little out of my obvious comfort zone — vocally, it sits in this falsetto space, and lyrically, if you really listen to it, it’s complicated. The lyrics contradict themselves, which was done on purpose — Linda and I really talked about it.
There are two different interpretations: one is that it’s about two members of a relationship, and what’s going on in their heads when they’re with each other. One partner is loving every moment and in bliss, while the other person is feeling empty and not satistfied. The other way to look at it is that it’s about one person, going back and forth about a relationship in their head. Like one day, we feel like we love this person to death, the next, what the hell. It’s emotionally complicated, which makes it special.
WSJ: Speaking of “Sure Fire Winners,” it sounds like an homage to “We are the Champions.” Is it?
AL: It wasn’t intentional, and I didn’t write that song. But yeah, that’s totally the vibe. I don’t know if the writers did that on purpose or not. But it is like a “we rock” kind of anthem.
WSJ: How closely do you follow the forums on your site and read what people tweet at you?
AL: I breeze through Twitter — I look at the mentions, the pictures, the videos. But I try not to get too wrapped up in message boards because it’s crazy. When the fans are supportive, that’s super positive. On the flip side, when message boards are filled with negativity, I find it sad that people have nothing better to do than hate on others online. It’s not a good vibe.
WSJ: Have you heard Kris Allen’s album?
AL: I haven’t heard his album, but love his single. I’ll be one of the first to get a copy, I’m sure.
WSJ: Are you going to return to “American Idol” to perform during the new season?
AL: If they want me to perform, I’d love to.
WSJ: Would you have liked to see Ellen DeGeneres as a judge?
AL: No, I wouldn’t change my experience at all. I love Paula and think she’s amazing. She was one of the first believers [in me], if you know what I mean. She really had my back. As for Simon, he really has nothing to do with me at this point. I mean, he’s a judge. He is also a producer, but he’s not the automatic “Idol” producer. He’s producing Leona Lewis, but that’s his project. Going back to the Internet thing, it amused me how people can be so misinformed. When I read certain things, I just want to tell them, you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s an endless source of entertainment for me.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle vie for Peoples Choice Award
American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, plus Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle are all eligible for a 2010 People’s Choice Award. The first round of voting for is now open for fans of their favorite music stars, many of whom got their big break on a reality TV show. There are currently 12 nominees in each category. After the list is whittled down to five, fans will once again have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. The People’s Choice Awards will be held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on January 6, 2010.
So, how many of the People’s Choice initial nominees actually got their big break from a reality TV show? You’d be surprised! In the “Favorite Breakout Artist” category, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle are all up for a potential People’s Choice Award. “Favorite Country Artist” includes Carrie Underwood. This talented country/pop artist is also included in the “Favorite Female Artist” category. Kelly Clarkson’s name shows up as a “Favorite Pop Artist” and Jennifer Hudson falls under the “Favorite R&B Artist.” Finally Chris Daughtry is included as “Favorite Rock Band.”
Just in case you’re not counting, eight alumni from reality TV shows American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are represented. That’s a pretty good validation that reality TV produces quality stars.
So, how many of the People’s Choice initial nominees actually got their big break from a reality TV show? You’d be surprised! In the “Favorite Breakout Artist” category, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle are all up for a potential People’s Choice Award. “Favorite Country Artist” includes Carrie Underwood. This talented country/pop artist is also included in the “Favorite Female Artist” category. Kelly Clarkson’s name shows up as a “Favorite Pop Artist” and Jennifer Hudson falls under the “Favorite R&B Artist.” Finally Chris Daughtry is included as “Favorite Rock Band.”
Just in case you’re not counting, eight alumni from reality TV shows American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are represented. That’s a pretty good validation that reality TV produces quality stars.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Official, Adam Lambert's First Single to Arrive Next Week
Adam Lambert has promised to give the first taste of his major-label debut album in the form of its first single next week. "The Single SHOULD be out next week...," he tweeted. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting!"
In addition to sharing info about his single, Adam also addressed "On With the Show", an album he recorded in 2005 before auditioning for "American Idol". He wrote, "Yeah this 'Take One' thing is basically 'On With the Show' re-tooled. Now this is ALL material recorded in '05 not written by me."
Adam Lambert will release his post-Idol effort "For Your Entertainment" on November 23. One day before the album arrives in stores, he will perform at 2009 American Music Awards along with Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, DAUGHTRY, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Jennifer Lopez.
On another news, Adam Lambert reportedly performed at a Halloween-themed private party in Boca Raton over the weekend. During the gig, he is rumored to don all-black costume with vampire fangs, and perform "Ring of Fire", "Black and White", "Mad World", "Born to Be Wild".
In addition to sharing info about his single, Adam also addressed "On With the Show", an album he recorded in 2005 before auditioning for "American Idol". He wrote, "Yeah this 'Take One' thing is basically 'On With the Show' re-tooled. Now this is ALL material recorded in '05 not written by me."
Adam Lambert will release his post-Idol effort "For Your Entertainment" on November 23. One day before the album arrives in stores, he will perform at 2009 American Music Awards along with Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, DAUGHTRY, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Jennifer Lopez.
On another news, Adam Lambert reportedly performed at a Halloween-themed private party in Boca Raton over the weekend. During the gig, he is rumored to don all-black costume with vampire fangs, and perform "Ring of Fire", "Black and White", "Mad World", "Born to Be Wild".
Saturday, October 24, 2009
American Idols Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwod, and Kelly Clarkson to perform at AMAs
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert is scheduled to perform at the American Music Awards on November 22 (the day before his debut release, "For Your Entertainment," hits stores). Thanks to a new report by People Magazine, it also looks like Lambert will be joined by several alumni from the former reality show.
Grammy-winner Carrie Underwood has signed on to perform at the awards, and she will be joined by Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry. According to AMA producer Larry Klein, "'American Idol' continually produces great talent, and we are looking forward to hosting Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry and Adam."
Also performing at the awards are Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and The Black Eyed Peas. Who are the leaders in terms of nominations? Both Taylor Swift and the late Michael Jackson each have five.
Grammy-winner Carrie Underwood has signed on to perform at the awards, and she will be joined by Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry. According to AMA producer Larry Klein, "'American Idol' continually produces great talent, and we are looking forward to hosting Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry and Adam."
Also performing at the awards are Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and The Black Eyed Peas. Who are the leaders in terms of nominations? Both Taylor Swift and the late Michael Jackson each have five.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Adam Lambert Swears he's no American Idol Puppet
Adam Lambert is like a modern-day Braveheart.
American Idol and 19 Entertainment may be putting out his debut album, but they're not taking his creative freedom—or so he claims.
"I think there's a little bit of a misconception out in the public that people that come out of American Idol are puppetted and kind of controlled," he tells E! News exclusively. "That hasn't been my experience one bit. They've been completely supportive and collaborative with me and all the powers that be are really trying to facilitate my artistic vision."
In addition to working with A-list producers RedOne (Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning"), Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera's "Keeps Getting' Better") and Ryan Tedder (the man behind the controversial Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson tracks), Lambert is writing some of his own stuff.
"For a handful of these songs, I've gotten to write on them," he says. "So I really feel I've gotten to inject a lot of this music on the album with my own personal vocal stylings and my own lyrical content. A lot of it talks about stuff I really care about and that I find interesting, so that feels really good."
In addition to his excitement about his album's debut on Nov. 24, Lambert can't wait to see Ellen DeGeneres take a on a certain verbose judge come January…
"I can't wait to see her banter with Simon Cowell," the season-eight runner-up admits. "I think she'll give him a hard time. I hope she does."
While the funnylady doesn't have the music industry chops of Paula Abdul or the rest of the panel, the former contestant believes she'll bring the "everyman's perspective" to the judging table.
"She's obviously a fan of the show, and she's been in the entertainment industry for a long time, so, strictly from an entertainment aspect, I think she'll provide a lot of great insight and really speak for the people that watch the show that aren't all that well versed in the music industry and in music," he explains. "I think it's good in that regard."
Speaking of good, Lambert may dream big—his song, "Time for Miracles," for the 2012 soundtrack may be Academy Award eligible, which "would be wild"
- From E! Online
American Idol and 19 Entertainment may be putting out his debut album, but they're not taking his creative freedom—or so he claims.
"I think there's a little bit of a misconception out in the public that people that come out of American Idol are puppetted and kind of controlled," he tells E! News exclusively. "That hasn't been my experience one bit. They've been completely supportive and collaborative with me and all the powers that be are really trying to facilitate my artistic vision."
In addition to working with A-list producers RedOne (Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning"), Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera's "Keeps Getting' Better") and Ryan Tedder (the man behind the controversial Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson tracks), Lambert is writing some of his own stuff.
"For a handful of these songs, I've gotten to write on them," he says. "So I really feel I've gotten to inject a lot of this music on the album with my own personal vocal stylings and my own lyrical content. A lot of it talks about stuff I really care about and that I find interesting, so that feels really good."
In addition to his excitement about his album's debut on Nov. 24, Lambert can't wait to see Ellen DeGeneres take a on a certain verbose judge come January…
"I can't wait to see her banter with Simon Cowell," the season-eight runner-up admits. "I think she'll give him a hard time. I hope she does."
While the funnylady doesn't have the music industry chops of Paula Abdul or the rest of the panel, the former contestant believes she'll bring the "everyman's perspective" to the judging table.
"She's obviously a fan of the show, and she's been in the entertainment industry for a long time, so, strictly from an entertainment aspect, I think she'll provide a lot of great insight and really speak for the people that watch the show that aren't all that well versed in the music industry and in music," he explains. "I think it's good in that regard."
Speaking of good, Lambert may dream big—his song, "Time for Miracles," for the 2012 soundtrack may be Academy Award eligible, which "would be wild"
- From E! Online
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Adam Lambert: The ultimate interview, Part 3
LAT: When did you first watch the show?
AL: I watched the first season. I remember Kelly (Clarkson) was on and she was great. I was really excited, but I didn’t think they were going to like me. I thought I was too out there.
LAT: You are a little out there!
AL: I am a little out there, but I’m kind of a strategist in that I knew what I could get away with and what I probably couldn’t get away with, so I tried to dumb myself down for the first couple auditions. You know, look a little more normal, dress a little bit more low key.
LAT: Where did you audition?
AL: In San Francisco. I drove up with two of my best friends. The next morning I had gotten an hour’s sleep because I was really anxious, and right as I auditioned, I reached this epiphany where I thought, “You’re about to be 27. What do you have to show for yourself? You’ve done a couple shows. You’re working. You know you can pay your bills but do you want to do something great? Do you want to do something major and launch yourself? Yeah, I do,” and I knew that “Idol” was going to be, if I could get it, such a platform. I’d seen people that had been on “Idol” and were eliminated playing leads on Broadway, and I knew that’s the way New York is now. If you’re on TV and you’re a celebrity, you can get a lead in a Broadway show. I thought that’s what I should do because they don’t seem to want to promote me at “Wicked.” The worst-case scenario is that it would enhance my career in the theater and the best-case scenario is that I could do really well -- and I didn’t know what it was going to be.
LAT: You knew the odds were against you, but that was OK, right?
AL: Yes. I walked into the first audition with the judges, and Simon and Kara said, “You’re theatrical.” I had a feeling it was going to go down like this. They’re going to be, “Oh, he’s too Broadway,” even though I don’t feel like I actually am when I sing. I’m theatrical, but I don’t think that it’s necessarily musical theater.
LAT: What did you sing at your first audition?
AL: I sang “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley and then “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and they said, “Don’t sing ‘Crazy’ at the next audition because they can’t get the rights to it and everybody tries to sing it." I sang (“Rock With You” by) Michael Jackson and they wanted to hear another one so I sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” (by Queen) and that’s the one they ended up showing on TV.
Read all of Part Three
AL: I watched the first season. I remember Kelly (Clarkson) was on and she was great. I was really excited, but I didn’t think they were going to like me. I thought I was too out there.
LAT: You are a little out there!
AL: I am a little out there, but I’m kind of a strategist in that I knew what I could get away with and what I probably couldn’t get away with, so I tried to dumb myself down for the first couple auditions. You know, look a little more normal, dress a little bit more low key.
LAT: Where did you audition?
AL: In San Francisco. I drove up with two of my best friends. The next morning I had gotten an hour’s sleep because I was really anxious, and right as I auditioned, I reached this epiphany where I thought, “You’re about to be 27. What do you have to show for yourself? You’ve done a couple shows. You’re working. You know you can pay your bills but do you want to do something great? Do you want to do something major and launch yourself? Yeah, I do,” and I knew that “Idol” was going to be, if I could get it, such a platform. I’d seen people that had been on “Idol” and were eliminated playing leads on Broadway, and I knew that’s the way New York is now. If you’re on TV and you’re a celebrity, you can get a lead in a Broadway show. I thought that’s what I should do because they don’t seem to want to promote me at “Wicked.” The worst-case scenario is that it would enhance my career in the theater and the best-case scenario is that I could do really well -- and I didn’t know what it was going to be.
LAT: You knew the odds were against you, but that was OK, right?
AL: Yes. I walked into the first audition with the judges, and Simon and Kara said, “You’re theatrical.” I had a feeling it was going to go down like this. They’re going to be, “Oh, he’s too Broadway,” even though I don’t feel like I actually am when I sing. I’m theatrical, but I don’t think that it’s necessarily musical theater.
LAT: What did you sing at your first audition?
AL: I sang “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley and then “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and they said, “Don’t sing ‘Crazy’ at the next audition because they can’t get the rights to it and everybody tries to sing it." I sang (“Rock With You” by) Michael Jackson and they wanted to hear another one so I sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” (by Queen) and that’s the one they ended up showing on TV.
Read all of Part Three
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Kris Allen and Adam Lambert talk "No Boundaries"
Los Angeles (E! Online) – Cutting Kara DioGuardi's "No Boundaries" from the American Idol tour was a no-brainer for Kris Allen.
"Taking that out is kind of helping my set a little bit," Allen explained to us this morning as he and Adam Lambert picked up their new Ford vehicles at Galpin Ford just outside of Los Angeles. "It gave it a little bit more energy … It just felt like a better fit to put something else in."
Critics and fans have pretty much trashed "No Boundaries," which DioGuardi cowrote, ever since it debuted as the American Idol victory song during the finale in May. Allen has replaced it with The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done." "Everyone knows that song," Lambert said. "It's really great."
Our favorite singing bromancers also talked about which Idol alums they'd like to work with... "I love Kelly Clarkson," Allen said. "She's incredible, so that's who I'd want to work with."
Lambert is a big fan, too. "The album Kelly just came out with is fantastic," he said. "Great writers, great producers. She wrote a bunch of songs on there, and Katy Perry—my girl—wrote songs on there, too. It's great." But then Lambert added, "I want to work with Fantasia, just hollerin' back and forth."
On a more serious note, the openly gay Lambert said he's trying not to think too much about protesters who showed up at one of the recent Idol tour stops. "I don't think I'm going to change their minds," he said. "I respect their opinion, but they didn't need to come to a concert and spread negativity...Go use your energy for something productive."
"Taking that out is kind of helping my set a little bit," Allen explained to us this morning as he and Adam Lambert picked up their new Ford vehicles at Galpin Ford just outside of Los Angeles. "It gave it a little bit more energy … It just felt like a better fit to put something else in."
Critics and fans have pretty much trashed "No Boundaries," which DioGuardi cowrote, ever since it debuted as the American Idol victory song during the finale in May. Allen has replaced it with The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done." "Everyone knows that song," Lambert said. "It's really great."
Our favorite singing bromancers also talked about which Idol alums they'd like to work with... "I love Kelly Clarkson," Allen said. "She's incredible, so that's who I'd want to work with."
Lambert is a big fan, too. "The album Kelly just came out with is fantastic," he said. "Great writers, great producers. She wrote a bunch of songs on there, and Katy Perry—my girl—wrote songs on there, too. It's great." But then Lambert added, "I want to work with Fantasia, just hollerin' back and forth."
On a more serious note, the openly gay Lambert said he's trying not to think too much about protesters who showed up at one of the recent Idol tour stops. "I don't think I'm going to change their minds," he said. "I respect their opinion, but they didn't need to come to a concert and spread negativity...Go use your energy for something productive."
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kris Allen Working With Fray Frontman, “Idol” Vets On Debut
Shout Out to Kris...
Kris Allen is talking with Billboard.com about the producers and songwriters he’s recruiting for his debut disc, due out in the fall. So far, Allen has nailed down collaborations with songwriter Claude Kelly (Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Britney Spears’ “Circus”), producer Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas) and former Evanescence keyboardist David Hodges, who previously worked with Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and David Archuleta.
“I’ve been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it’s going well,” Allen told Billboard. “Each writing session has been a learning experience. I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it’s going the right way and I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait.”
Rolling Stone
Kris Allen is talking with Billboard.com about the producers and songwriters he’s recruiting for his debut disc, due out in the fall. So far, Allen has nailed down collaborations with songwriter Claude Kelly (Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Britney Spears’ “Circus”), producer Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas) and former Evanescence keyboardist David Hodges, who previously worked with Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and David Archuleta.
“I’ve been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it’s going well,” Allen told Billboard. “Each writing session has been a learning experience. I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it’s going the right way and I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait.”
Rolling Stone
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